Elite Full-time Alpine Team - 4005 | Winter 26/27

Program Overview

KSEF is a ski race team. The Full-Time Elite Alpine Team is the highest-volume, highest-commitment program in the KSEF pipeline. Designed for athletes from U10 and up who have the drive, the discipline, and the competitive ambition to train at the elite level, this program delivers five days per week of on-snow coaching, integrated cross-training, structured off-snow conditioning, and exclusive Far West Race Series competition.

This is not a weekend program. This is a full-time commitment to becoming the best racer and the best skier your athlete can be, on the most demanding mountain in the Sierra. Athletes in this program train alongside KSEF's top coaching staff in a structured, high-performance environment that develops the whole athlete: technical precision on the race course, physical conditioning off it, and the competitive mindset and resilience that elite-level racing demands.

At KSEF, every family belongs.

Skill Prerequisites

This is an elite, full-time competitive program. Athletes must arrive with proven competitive racing experience and the technical, physical, and mental readiness to train five days per week at the highest level KSEF offers. Athletes must meet the following minimum standards:

• Expert-level skiing on all terrain at Kirkwood in all conditions without exception.

• Proven competitive race experience in GS and SL at the Far West level. SG experience required for U14 and above.

• Advanced proficiency in gate training at race speed across all disciplines appropriate to the athlete's age class.

• Ability to independently manage race-day logistics: course inspection, warm-up, equipment preparation, and post-race self-assessment.

• Strong competitive maturity: ability to train at high volume, take and apply coaching feedback, self-coach between runs, and perform consistently under competitive pressure.

• Year-round commitment to physical conditioning and athletic development.

• New athletes must complete a pre-season on-snow skills assessment and coach evaluation.

Athletes not yet ready for the full-time commitment should consider KSEF's age-class programs (U10 through U16), which provide competitive racing development on a weekend training schedule. Reach out to us, and we will help you find the right path.

Why Kirkwood: The Best Mountain in the Sierra to Build a Racer

If you end up at Kirkwood, it is because you made a deliberate decision. You chose the mountain that sits at 7,800 feet in a horseshoe canyon deep in the Sierra Nevada, higher than any other ski area in Tahoe, with terrain that tilts toward challenge and snow that other resorts can only talk about. You chose the mountain where legitimately good skiing is the main event, where the terrain builds skiers instead of flattering them, and where a race team has been training athletes for over four decades.

That is exactly why it is the best place in the Sierra to develop a young racer.

Storms funnel into the horseshoe canyon from the Pacific and get stuck, swirling for days. The locals call it the K-Factor: the geographic reality that when the rest of Tahoe is waiting for snow, Kirkwood is buried in it. With 2,300 acres of skiable terrain, 2,000 feet of vertical drop, an average annual snowfall that regularly exceeds 350 inches, and a terrain mix that tilts heavily toward challenge (38% advanced, 20% expert), this mountain produces fundamentally stronger skiers and sharper racers than any resort in the region. It teaches athletes to read terrain, adapt to variable conditions, find their balance in real snow, and build the kind of independent confidence and technical foundation that translates directly to the race course.

For Full-Time Elite athletes, Kirkwood is not just a training venue. It is the mountain that forges them. Five days a week on this terrain, in these conditions, with this coaching staff, produces a level of technical depth and competitive readiness that cannot be replicated on an easier mountain.

The KSEF Community: Your Athlete's Tribe

Deep roots. Strong community. Bright futures. That is not a slogan. It is what four decades of race team families have built at Kirkwood.

Full-Time Elite athletes are the core of the KSEF team. They are on the mountain more than anyone, and their commitment sets the standard for every program in the pipeline. The bonds built through daily training, race travel, and shared competition run deep. The coaches become true mentors. The teammates become lifelong friends. The families become each other's support system through every race weekend and every season.

One Team. One Dream. That is how we ski, how we race, and how we show up for each other at Kirkwood.

FY26/27 Training Structure

The Full-Time Elite program is the most comprehensive training structure KSEF offers. Every component is designed to develop faster, stronger, more complete racers.

Five Days Per Week On-Snow (Monday through Friday). Advanced gate sessions across SL, GS, and SG. Coached tactical freeskiing. Discipline-specific technical refinement. Progressive intensity and volume calibrated to each athlete's age class and competitive level. This is where the racing gets built, day after day, on the best training ground in the Sierra.

One Day Per Week Cross-Country Skiing. Integrated cross-country training builds endurance, aerobic capacity, and movement efficiency in a low-impact format. This is not filler. It is a purposeful cross-training component that improves on-snow performance, adds variety to the training week, and builds the athletic base that supports high-volume gate work.

One Afternoon Per Week Off-Snow Training. Structured conditioning sessions focused on strength development, injury prevention, mental resilience, and recovery management. Elite-level training volume demands elite-level preparation off the mountain. These sessions ensure athletes remain physically robust, mentally sharp, and healthy throughout the competitive season.

Racing Opportunities

Full-Time Elite athletes compete exclusively in the Far West Race Series across SL, GS, SG, and speed disciplines as appropriate to age class. The Far West circuit is the primary competitive platform. Athletes with qualifying results may advance to Western Region Championships, Tri-Divisional Championships, and national events. Athletes with exceptional results may qualify for regional and national projects.

Race travel is coordinated by coaches. Race schedules are published on the KSEF calendar. Families are responsible for transportation to race venues.

New for FY26/27: On-Mountain Race Facility

This season marks a milestone. After years of planning and investment, KSEF will be operating out of our new on-mountain race facility at Kirkwood: a permanent home on the mountain that upgrades every aspect of our program and positions KSEF to compete at the highest levels in the region. For Full-Time Elite athletes training five days a week, this facility is their home base. Purpose-built infrastructure designed for the volume, intensity, and multi-discipline demands of elite-level racing.

Athlete Assessment and Progress Tracking

Every athlete is seen, coached, and challenged at the right level. New athletes complete a pre-season on-snow skills evaluation and coach assessment. Each athlete receives individualized development goals aligned with their competitive objectives, ongoing coaching feedback throughout the season, and periodic progress reviews documenting competitive development, race results, and the pathway forward.

FY26/27 Schedule and What to Expect

The Full-Time Elite season runs December through late April, with Far West racing and championship events extending into spring. On-snow training is Monday through Friday. Pre-season dryland training runs September through November. Attendance expectations for Full-Time Elite athletes exceed all other KSEF programs. This is a full-time commitment, and the training schedule reflects that. Specific training times and the weekly schedule are coordinated by coaching staff and published on the KSEF calendar.

Coaches communicate with families through KSEF's TeamSnap and direct email. Any training changes due to weather or conditions are communicated promptly.

FY26/27 Registration and Pricing

Earlybird Registration ends on May 31st.

Prices increase with each registration window and will continue to climb through November 2026. The best pricing is available now. Once a window closes, it does not reopen.

Season Pass: All Full-Time Elite athletes must hold a valid season pass for Kirkwood for all training days: Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, Tahoe Value Pass, or Kirkwood Only Pass. Lift tickets and day passes are not accepted. A season pass is a separate purchase and is not included in tuition.

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Membership: All athletes must hold a current U.S. Ski and Snowboard membership in the appropriate age category for the season. This is required for participation in sanctioned race events.

Payment plans are available. Need-based financial assistance is offered because every family belongs on this mountain. Contact the Program Administrator for pricing details, payment plan options, pass guidance, or membership questions.

Required Equipment

The Full-Time Elite program requires competition-level, discipline-specific equipment. All equipment must receive prior approval from KSEF coaches. Families are responsible for providing:

Race Skis. SL, GS, and SG event-specific skis. Both competition and training pairs are recommended to manage equipment wear across a five-day training week. Consult coaches for specifications.

Race Boots. Properly fitted race boots with an appropriate flex rating for the athlete's age class and competitive level.

Poles. GS and SL poles equipped with pole guards.

Helmet. FIS-certified MIPS race helmet with chin guard and face guard. Required at all times.

Shin Guards. Mandatory for all SL training and competition.

Back Protector (Recommended). Recommended for added safety, particularly in speed events.

Speed Suit. A speed suit with an FIS certification patch is required for racing.

Goggles. Goggles with multiple lens options for varied weather and light conditions.

Gloves. Durable waterproof ski gloves or mittens.

Layers. Appropriate layers for Kirkwood conditions. Five days a week on this mountain means dressing for every condition Kirkwood delivers.

Ski Backpack and Water Bottle. Required for daily training sessions.

Consult KSEF coaches before purchasing any race equipment. At this level, discipline-specific setup is critical to both performance and safety. We encourage families to connect with KSEF's network for secondhand race gear and to take advantage of industry relationships for athlete pricing.

New for FY26/27: KSEF / Helly Hansen Official Team Uniform Program

For the FY26/27 season, KSEF is proud to announce an official uniform partnership with Helly Hansen. Our leadership team spent countless hours working alongside the local and main Helly Hansen teams to design and build the best kits for our athletes and coaches. Purpose-built, race-ready, and unmistakably KSEF. One Team. One Dream. And now, one kit to match.

The new KSEF / Helly Hansen team uniforms follow the same phased pricing structure as our programs. Purchase your full kit or individual items (jacket, pant, or mid-layer) before May 31st and receive 10% off. After May 31st, the Earlybird discount ends and prices increase.

Contact and Registration

Since 1984, this foundation has been built by people who love this mountain and believe in its young people. Ready to train at the highest level?

• Kylese Markt, Athletic Director: Kylese@kirkwoodskiteam.com

• Dana Keith, Program Administrator: Dana@kirkwoodskiteam.com

Sign up for the monthly KSEF newsletter for the latest updates and season information.

Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation

A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit  |  Training Racers Since 1984

Deep Roots. Strong Community. Bright Futures.

One Team. One Dream.